History of the Abolicao South Africa Capoeira

.In February 2003, Mosqueteiro (Tom Georgiou) and Xaruto (Jonny Hyams) set up an Abolição capoeira group in Hamburg, the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It was established in association with a local community initiative, the Keiskamma Art Project. Hamburg, on first impressions, is not much more than a scattering of houses and ‘shacks’. It is the last village at the end of a dirt road, and sits on the estuary of the Keiskamma River as it enters the Indian Ocean. The village is very poor, but the same factors responsible for the poverty (namely apartheid), have also meant that Hamburg has remained a traditional Xhosa village in many ways.

The first time Hamburg saw capoeira was at a demonstration by Mosqueteiro and Xaruto and this sparked enough local interest to set up a class. The lessons were held in the old town hall, which after cleaning turned out to be an ideal space to train in. At first people of all ages, from mums to children came, before a group of regular students emerged. There were a few problems in the beginning, one of which was the language barrier. Their English is limited, and our Xhosa even more so. However, as capoeira is a great way to communicate and share with people, it wasn’t a huge issue. In the first few months, the students progressed quickly, and the group became strong enough for it to continue after Mosqueteiro and Xaruto left.

Capoeira has become a very important part of the lives of people in the group. They have not only become students of capoeira, but have also taken on the responsibility of continuing the classes and so have created a valuable creative outlet for themselves, and a self-sustained group. Capoeiristas are aware of how much they get out of training capoeira, but for the people of Hamburg, who have far fewer alternatives in life, they get more than most. It has become not only a source of sport and exercise, but also a means to greater personal development and sociability. It keeps the young people busy after school, and has opened a door into the wider world.

In August 2004, Mosqueteiro and Xaruto returned to Hamburg for a second time, along with Negao (Luis Patrocinio) and Bailarina (Kate Fayers-Kerr). Negao stayed for 2 weeks, teaching a class every day and holding Hamburg’s first Batizado. This was an important event, as it demonstrated to the students in South Africa that they are an important part of Abolição, not to be forgotten. The group is led by Tigres (Msindisi Mva), with the help of the older students. They have limited equipment and are somewhat isolated in Hamburg, as it is a bit of a backwater. We are hoping to raise money to support the group. Their needs include renovation of the hall, a new tape player, any new capoeira kit and the means to contact other capoeira groups within South Africa. This would not only increase their capoeira experience, but also boost the motivation and enthusiasm of the group, and help in its progress.

Their commitment, dedication and pure fight to keep the group going deserves ours in return.

Axe Abolição Afrika

Contact Luis and Suzette for details of where to send any donations.

Photos of the group:

• Hamburg Group
• Hamburg Batizado 2004

Recent developments in Hamburg, 2005

Gata (from Abolição Oxford Capoeira) spent a week training with the group and brought back encouraging news about the group despite Tigres leaving to go to college.

The Keiskamma Trust made a contribution towards renovating the training hall.

Negão and Bailarina returned to Hamburg in September to give the group their 2nd Batizado.

News from Hamburg, 2006

In March, six of the under thirteen year old capoeira students from Hamburg went to Bisho Children's Festival. They had five days of VIP treatment, since the King and Queen of the Mnqhesha Tribe have set up an annual Children's Festival in their home! This is to encourage children to dance, perform and be artistic. Everyday they played capoeira to a large audience and returned to the village as celebrities amongst their peers.

Thanks to Bailarina's fundraising efforts, Falcão and Tigres were able to join Negão in Salvador and participated in the 1st Batizado at CRA in July.

Dourado and Ruanda (from Abolição Oxford Capoeira) visited the group ahead of Negão, to train with them before their 3rd Batizado in November: when Falcão and Tigres received their blue belts. Zebra, Lampião, Leão and Besouro are now blue yellow. Cheverinho (from Beribazu Cardiff) also gave workshops in ceramics and felt-making to the women of the Keiskamma Arts Project and Ruanda gave a belly dancing workshop during the visit.

The under thirteens will be making their second appearance at the Children's Festival in East London.